We got pounded in Baton Rouge. I always get a little jumpy with these storms, but this was the first time in my life that I was really scared for my family's safety during a hurricane. Trees were falling over everywhere. Several folks on my street had them on their houses. (And EVERY other street in town too!!!) An enormous tree next door to us was coming up by the roots. Thank goodness it didn't fall (I don't know how) because it would have crushed a couple of houses easily.

Power was out until just a couple of days ago. We stayed with my parents in their camper with a generator because the baby just wasn't tolerating the heat well. The grocery stores are still nearly empty, but the gas lines have nearly gone away...or they had until yesterday when people started getting more worried that Hurricane Ike's winds might knock down more trees and cause more havoc around here. Now most stations are out of gas again.

As for us, we lost all four of our remaining shade trees, but thankfully none hit the house. We also lost the kids' trampoline and part of our fence. Not too bad, really, though I will miss the shady yard we had. Many here aren't so lucky. Several people in this area lost their lives to falling trees. Hope all the other Gulf Coasters here did ok too. Sending prayers to Texas tonight for those in the path of Hurricane Ike.

Northern louisiana has gotten slammed with flooding and power/utility outages. There are a ton of evacuees from south la here, most of them are desperate to go home, but can't even if their parishes are open, because the roads aren't. I am thankful that this one was no Katrina but I am shocked at how much damage it is causing up here.

Thanks Anne. No problems so far. We aren't getting a direct hit here in Mobile, but we are still getting a lot of rain, wind and tornados. Our power keeps blinking off and on, but I still have internet. My email has been disabled, but otherwise, so far, so good. We are already starting to watch Hanna. Good news about her is that we have already done much of the prep. Keeping my fingers crossed for all you other Gulf coast girls.

Thinking of all of you. Our LGW lives down in a region that is always getting wiped out by one storm or another so I am hoping this one avoids her and all of the rest of our "family" down that way. Stay safe, warm, dry and we're all waiting to hear this has passed you over.

Ah man I remember Andrew, it hit a few miles south of where I lived at the time and we lost power and trees were everywhere. I lived in pompano beach when it hit. YUCK. Sorry about Gustav! Cat. 4's are no joke...........................

I hope your family has a safe and easy trip to Atlanta. We got a call from our insurance company a little while ago giving us the number to call for claims and assistance. *double sigh* We just got a new roof after Katrina. I hope it holds. My only other concern is the trees in our yard. We have 3 that are old and really tall and right next to the house. I think we are going to have all the kids sleep in our room tonight as that is the furthest point away from the trees.

Ugh... looks like it's going to roll right over Baton Rouge!! I've lived here all my life, and we have always been far enough inland to not have too much trouble. But Katrina tore up our roof, and Andrew knocked out power for over a week. I hope Gustav decides to die down a little before he roars ashore. *sigh*